By Martine Wolfe-Miller, Communications Manager
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (October 4, 2018) – As part of National Fire Prevention Week (FPW), slated October 7-13, the Town of Mount Pleasant Fire Department will kick off its awareness campaign with a simple message from the National Fire Protection Association: “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.”
“Paying attention to your surroundings, looking for available exits in the event of a fire or other emergency, and taking the sounds of a smoke alarm seriously can make a potentially life-saving difference in a fire or other emergency,” said Fire Chief Mike Mixon. “Planning and developing awareness of fire prevention tactics become critically important.”
This year’s FPW campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” works to educate people about three basic but essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire––and how to escape safely in the event of one:
Look for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.
Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance from the home and where everyone should know to meet.
Learn two ways out of every room. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.
Also, Sparky the Fire Dog® has a new friend, Simon, who is helping teach this year’s FPW messages – He’s a smart, resourceful character who will join Sparky in spreading fire-safety messages to adults and children alike. Click on these links for more information about Sparky and Simon and Fire Week Safety Tips.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org.